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Top things to do this weekend . . . March 7-9

Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoEric Albrecht | DISPATCHShrek: The Musical will be performed at the Palace Theatre this weekend. From left: Pinocchio (Ryan Kupycinski), Papa Ogre (Bill Hafner) and the Wicked Witch (Sarah Frady)

Spring means that butterflies will be the stars at the Franklin Park Conservatory, or you can
watch a phantom, pirates, the roller derby or Columbus native Robert Post return home. Shrek will
be around, too.

Here are some of the best bets for weekend activities.

* * *

ALL WEEKEND

-- Shrek: The Musical

This weekend’s Pleasure Guild production of
Shrek: The Musical at the
Palace Theatre is a benefit for the hospice and palliative-care (pain management)
program at Children’s Hospital. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m.
Sunday. Admission is $15 to $40. Get details at 614-469-0939 or
www.pleasureguild.org

-- The Pirates of Penzance

Arrrgh! New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, with the
Opera Columbus Chorus and the
Columbus Symphony, will perform the Gilbert and Sullivan's beloved comedy
The Pirates of Penzance this weekend in the Southern Theatre. Details: 614-469-0939,
1-800-745-3000,
www.ticketmaster.com.

-- Phantom of the Opera

This new production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical
Phantom of the Opera comes to the
Ohio Theatre after a sold-out tour of the United Kingdom. Mark Campbell and Julia
Udine star as The Phantom and Christine Daae on this tour, produced by Cameron Mackintosh. The
Columbus run continues through March 16. Showtimes this weekend are 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8
p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $53 to $108. Get
details at 800.294.1892 or
http://columbus.broadway.com/shows/phantom-opera-baa/

-- Robert Post

Actor, mime, puppeteer, juggler, ventriloquist, stand-up comedian and improvising whirling
dervish Robert Post celebrates a 40-year career with a new one-man variety show, "Post Comedy
Theatre," this weekend at the
Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets
cost $25 and $30 at the Ohio Theatre box office (614-469-0939) and Ticketmaster outlets. Learn more
about the show at
www.robertpost.org

* * *

FRIDAY

-- Playing By Air

Playing By Air, a touring troupe that makes crowds laugh while blending juggling, music and
circus, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at the
Midland Theatre, 36 N. Park Place, Newark. Curious? Check ‘em out on YouTube or
the Midland website, where, among other things, they turn an exercise ball and foam rods into a
figure dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Tickets cost $12 to $20. Call 740-345-5483 or visit
www.midlandtheatre.org.

-- Buckwheat Zydeco

Couldn’t make it down to Mardi Gras this week? Not to worry, mes amis: Jovial
singer-accordionist Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural Jr., and his band, Buckwheat Zydeco, are bringing the
song and spirit of such Southern festivities to central Ohio. He's playing at the
Grand Valley Dale Ballroom, 1590 Sunbury Rd. Contact: 614-223-3093,
www.citymusiccolumbus.org. Showtime: 8 p.m. Friday.
Tickets: $27.50, or $25 for senior citizens, $13.75 for ages 30 and younger; $10 additional for
City Barbecue dinner.

* * *

SATURDAY

-- Striding for pi

Join teachers, students and families on Saturday morning as they run 3.14 miles in the
Pi Day 5K starting at
Alum Creek North Park in Westerville. The event raises money for the Teaching
& Learning Collaborative. Details:
www.teachinglearningcollaborative.org

-- Blooms & Butterflies

Beginning on Saturday, the Pacific Island Water Garden will lay out the exhibit
"Blooms & Butterflies" at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
- a popular exhibit introduced 20 years ago as an experiment. Hundreds of exotic butterflies will
fly freely among tropical plants and flowers — for the 21st consecutive year. 1777 E. Broad St. For
more information, call 614-715-8000 or visit
www.fpconservatory.org.

The Ohio Roller Girls will kick off a new season of roller derby Saturday at the
Ohio Expo Center with a doubleheader against the Nashville Rollergirls. Doors open
at 3:30 p.m. at the Lausche Building, with competitions at 5 and 7 p.m. Admission is $14 and
parking is $5 per car. Beer and concessions are available on site. Visit
ohiorollergirls.com for more
information.

* * *

SUNDAY

-- Baby Bonanza

Expectant parents and young families should find much of interest at the
Baby Bonanza and Kid’s Expo. Hundreds of vendors of child-related products and
services will be on hand. Also featured will be a play area, entertainment and diaper-derby baby
races. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the
Aladdin Shrine Complex, 3850 Stelzer Rd. Tickets cost $5, or $4 for grandparents;
free for age 12 and younger. Call 740-972-1471 or visit
www.babybonanza.net.